THE SEARCH FOR EVERYTHING

John Mayer Columbia

Earth’s reigning guitar god, John Mayer, is out with his seventh studio album, which reveals a calmer artist taking a measured approach to accessible funk-laced songs.

This is a confident album that feels less like an artistic exploration and more like plate of musical comfort food. The arrangements are solid, if a slight bit predictable.

Still Feel Like Your Man is the track that stands out most — the easy-to-feel rhythm is accessible and the lovelorn message is a good fit. Slow breaks give way to a danceable hook and a sunny outlook for Mayer. Helpless continues the new-found funky Mayer approach.

The album is good enough and there are no plum awful tracks. But The Search for Everything gets softer and softer with each song. Too much piano here, not enough guitar there.